Blaze Bayley Says Paul Di'Anno Is Iron Maiden's Only Legend

Former Iron Maiden singer Blaze Bayley has shared a striking perspective on the band’s storied vocal history, arguing that the late Paul Di’Anno remains the heavy metal institution’s only true legend—surpassing even long-serving frontman Bruce Dickinson.

Speaking in an interview with Metal OBS, Bayley reflected on the different eras of Iron Maiden and singled out the band’s first two records, their 1980 self-titled debut and 1981’s Killers, as boundary-pushing masterworks. Di’Anno fronted the group during this foundational period before parting ways with the band.

The Legend of the First Two Albums

Iron Maiden performs at Pointe East during their Killer World Tour in Lynwood, Illinois, June 26, 1981, featuring Paul Di'Anno. — Iron Maiden performs at Pointe East during their Killer World Tour in Lynwood, Illinois, June 26, 1981, featuring Paul Di’Anno.

While acknowledging that later members carry the mantle, Bayley maintains that Di’Anno holds a status that cannot be matched. In his view, the initial albums broke the rules of heavy metal and music at large.

"There are different eras of Maiden, of course, but in my mind, only Paul is the legend," Bayley told Metal OBS. "After that, we carry the name, we carry the torch of Iron Maiden. I may become a legend, Bruce may become a legend. But the legend of Iron Maiden belongs to Paul on those first two albums."

Bayley praised those early recordings for offering something drastically different from everything else happening in music at the time, cementing Di’Anno as a timeless figure following his death in 2024.

A Friendship Forged on the Road

Beyond their shared history as Iron Maiden vocalists, Di’Anno and Bayley developed a personal friendship after their respective stints with the band ended. The two singers eventually hit the road together, performing classic Maiden material for fans across the globe.

Their touring partnership spanned multiple territories, including Russia—stretching from St. Petersburg and Moscow to Vladivostok—alongside dates in Scandinavia, Australia, and New Zealand.

"We were colleagues. Paul was a very funny guy. I think people don’t know that about him. He had a great sense of humour," Bayley recalled. He added that when conditions were right and Di’Anno was well-rested, hearing him tackle the early material live was extraordinary: "You could close your eyes and it was like the first album, but better."

Di’Anno’s later life and health struggles are the focus of a documentary released this year titled Di’Anno: Iron Maiden’s Lost Singer.